Diamondbacks DFA Bryce Jarvis, Open 40-Man Roster Spot

The Arizona Diamondbacks made a decisive roster move, designating former first-round pick Bryce Jarvis for assignment to finalize the signing of right-hander Michael Soroka.

This transaction not only reshapes Arizona’s pitching depth chart, but also highlights how quickly a once-promising prospect can slide from centerpiece to expendable.

Diamondbacks Clear Space for Michael Soroka

Signing Michael Soroka meant the Diamondbacks had to clear a 40-man roster spot. Jarvis became the casualty.

Arizona’s front office now trusts Soroka’s upside and present value more than whatever projection still clings to Jarvis’s draft status.

The franchise invested a first-round pick and a substantial bonus in Jarvis. Letting him go isn’t a casual decision.

It shows the urgency of competing right now and a blunt reassessment of what Jarvis has become as a pro.

A First-Round Investment That Never Fully Materialized

The Diamondbacks selected Bryce Jarvis 18th overall in the 2020 MLB Draft, signing him for a $2.65 million bonus. Back then, he looked like a polished college arm with mid-rotation potential—a fast-tracker who could climb quickly.

Instead, his development bent the wrong way. The numbers tell the story: flashes of competence, but never sustained dominance.

Once he reached the upper minors, the trend line turned worrisome.

Minor League Struggles Undermined His Prospect Status

Jarvis’s minor league record explains why Arizona felt comfortable cutting ties. The organization gave him innings, opportunity, and time.

But his performance just didn’t match his draft pedigree.

By the time the club needed to create room for Soroka, Jarvis had shifted from priority prospect to fungible depth, especially after his 2025 regression.

Rough Road Through Double-A and Triple-A

Jarvis’s biggest red flag season came in 2022, when he was hit hard in Double-A:

He rebounded a bit in 2023 with a 5.08 ERA in the minors. Still, that figure sat far below what you’d hope for from a recent first-rounder.

The performance never really matched the projection he carried out of college.

By 2025, things had fully unraveled for him. His ERA ballooned to 5.73 overall, and an 8.47 ERA in Triple-A starts made it clear he was unplayable as a starter at that level.

Major League Results vs. Underlying Metrics

On the surface, Jarvis’s Major League ERA looks more optimistic. Over three MLB seasons, he logged 105 innings with a respectable 3.69 ERA.

You might think that suggests a useful bullpen arm.

But these days, front offices look far beyond ERA. Arizona did, and the peripherals weren’t kind.

Why the ERA Didn’t Tell the Whole Story

Jarvis’s underlying metrics were troubling and explained why Arizona was willing to move on despite that sub-4.00 ERA:

In both 2023 and 2024, he managed ERAs of 3.04 and 3.19 out of the bullpen. But his 9.8% walk rate and 13% strikeout rate hinted he was surviving, not thriving.

The gap between results and process finally caught up to him by 2025.

What Comes Next for Bryce Jarvis?

Now designated for assignment, Jarvis enters a waiver window that can last up to 48 hours. Several paths are possible, and none are guaranteed to keep him in Arizona.

Despite his struggles, his profile still carries some appeal around the league. Some clubs might be willing to gamble on a former first-round arm.

Potential Outcomes on the Waiver Wire

Jarvis’s immediate future breaks down into a few possibilities:

It’s wild how unpredictable pitcher development can be, isn’t it? The Diamondbacks seem to think Soroka’s rebound is worth more than holding out hope for Jarvis to become that first-round guy again.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Diamondbacks Designate Bryce Jarvis For Assignment